MauriceMynah

Just remember... Bunny comes up out of the hole, round the back of the tree, gets shot and put in a pie. Lousy knot, great dinner.

Oh Viking23, such thin ice on which you choose to skate. Stalham high street used to be my place of choice to shop. A wonderful green grocer, close to one of the best butchers in Broadland. The Baker was good too, all adding up to what to might be called in today's parlance "a wonderful retail experience". It was a vibrant street where pretty much anything was available and always top quality. Like so many other places it has now been reduced to a collection of fast food takeaways and charity shops. a crying shame. If ever there was an example of the expression "be careful what you wish for" Tesco in Stalham is it!

My recollection of the 60s is that any private boat was owned by somebody rather wealthy, something to aspire to. In the busy years of the 70s privates were either small or still owned by the wealthy. By the 80s the balance was changing. slightly fewer hire craft and slightly more privates owned by more of a cross section of society. Well, anyway, that's my take on it

I think it's something to do with the skills required against the probable usage. Police cars, Ambulances and Fire engines don't sit idle for any great length of time. they're always on the go. The Coastguard is less used and as a result it has been cut down to a shadow of it's former self. Lifeboat crews are usually professional boat crews, frequently fishermen and that ilk who volunteer their services when needed. A full time crew for each lifeboat would cost a fortune. Successive governments (irrespective of party) would cut the service to cover the busy areas only and the lifeboat service would be decimated. (in my opinion.). Then other commercial decisions would come into play. Two people on a sea going gin palace are in difficulty two other people are in trouble in a home made dinghy. Would salvage value take precedence? The system we have works, so don't fix it... just give those heroes more donations and if you meet any of them, buy 'em a pint from me!

I thought very long and very hard before replying to this thread, mainly because I think most of the answers here are in their own way correct, but it is the question that’s wrong. If one were to ask… “What would you be prepared to risk your life for?” you would find many different answers, with some that are so illogical as to be barmy! Some people risk their lives for money. Let’s just say Lewis Hamilton and all the other F1 drivers as an example, though many will risk their lives for far lesser sums. Others do it for fun. Ask any amateur mountaineer or bungee jumper! There are people who are just straight forward heroes. The RNLI is full of them as are many other rescue services. Our armed forces do it for their country! “Yes, OK” you might say, “But I meant normal people”… and therein lies the problem. By a “normal person” we will take someone who is untrained in risk assessment, untrained in rescue techniques and untrained in whichever situation he/she finds himself/herself in. In this case we are talking about a strange case of dog in the water. Owner panics and dives in. Yes, the owner has risked his life, yet that owner wouldn’t have thought about that, or much else, when he dived in. It is my opinion (and therefore fact) that when an owner puts his life at risk to save his dog and subsequently dies in the attempt, he was inadequate in his risk assessment. My reasoning? Pure Logic! First the owner should ask himself. “If I die trying to save my dog, will it help the dog” Answer, obviously not! Second question. “How likely is my death if I take this course of action?” If the answer to that is “High” then another course is likely to be considered. You can see where this is going so I’ll not continue with this bit. The above is what SHOULD happen. What would happen in reality is “Arghhh poor rover’s in the water.” SPLASH! Now, I’m not a strong swimmer, so I wouldn’t jump in to save anything be it dog, child or even my mobile phone. I have a low threshold of pain too, so running into burning buildings is out as well. I’m not fast on my feet so diving in front of someone to take the bullet is a non starter and finally as I’m a professional coward, I’m highly unlikely to exchange myself as hostage for anybody either. MACHO I aint, nor am I hero material. So, if you or your dog are going to get into difficulty, best not do it near me eh!

Both Tuesday and Wednesday (7th and 8th April) I was woken up in the morning at nearly 9am by blooming... sorry booming bitterns on Hickling broad. Last year I saw several Swallowtails whilst I crossed the broad. I love nature, I eat nothing else.

Walthing Matilda ith the only Authie thong I know

What is it about wearing white socks? you ask Well to be honest I don't know, but here's the story... I used to have to change my socks (and wash my feet) at least three times a day, sometimes four. Failure to do this would enhance my "room emptying" abilities to perfection point. People tried to be nice about it but it was both difficult and unpleasant for them. It wasn't exactly a bed of roses for me either. My feet came to a head (neat trick) in the hot summer of '76 when I was staying with my parents on a boat. I was in "no socks" mode so wearing sandals. They were useless as deck shoes, nearly sending me into the drink on a couple of occasions. Even with my feet dressed thus, foot washing was twice a day necessity, but they were somwewhat improved. This had become a regular topic of conversation, and was, yet again, being discussed over a beer or three in the Kings Head Wroxham... sorry, Hoveton. A total stranger overheard the topic and intervened with the advice I wore white sports socks. This he assured us would, after a week, be the end of the matter, except that I would have to have my feet adorned in this manner for as long as I possessed my current pair. Two things struck us. Firstly this fellow was indeed wearing white socks and secondly, it seemed that his feet were not smelly. It also struck us that in his white socked sandal wearing attire, he looked a complete doughnut, but you can't win 'em all. Roy's is, as we all know, just round the corner from the Kings head, so while dad and I discussed the sartorial aspects of the fashion statement, mum shot round to Roy's and purchased loads of the b****rs. It not only worked, the effect was almost immediate. Within three days I was wearing one clean pair a day and my feet became nose friendly to the world. A few years ago, I tried going back to normal socks as I don't actually like white ones, but after a week or two, it became apparent that this was not a wise move. Why does it work? I have no idea. Many theories have been put to me, but to be honest, I really don't care. It works and believe you me, that's all that matters. Do I too look like a complete doughnut? Yes, but I can live with that.

Timbo, If I wear socks of any colour other than white, my FEET become the instruments of Satan.

Now I know this will raise a laugh but it's true Honest it is. I have to wear WHITE socks for medical reasons... YES I DO!!!!!!... White socks or no socks! Those are my options. Last year I wore sandles and as I went sockless I suffered severe sun burn on the tops of my feet. Now...As in the summer I like to wear sandles, I shall, totally shamelessly don those sandles on my white socked feet..... So there!! Edited to add, I find Crocs treacherously slippery on anything other than a dry surface.

Definitions... Topic, ........ A pleasant confectionery containing nuts. Off Topic.... A broads based forum containing nuts.

Grace, Hooley is what VERY posh matadors say.

I remember my parents telling me that when my sister and I were children, the most terrifying thing they would ever overhear was a sentence starting with the three words "I Know....lets.." and so on. Nowadays kids are too busy with their noses buried in their mobiles and tablets to have ideas fit to terrorize their parents and the job is left to parish councils. Somebody at some meeting has put forwards a motion that started "I know, ... lets......." If the councils objection was long term parkers, they could have dealt with it by single yellow line limitations. If it is to improve the view then I'm sure there were other actions possible. For my mind I wonder if there was a bit of cash left in the budget that had to be got rid of before 5th April. I know, I'm a cynic!

Hi Maxine, Would I be right in saying that Cygnet is your boat, moored near Potter Heigham Bridge? I'm sure I've seen a boat "Cygnet" but I can't recall which side of the bridge she lives. Keep an eye out for me on "Nyx" and I'll give you a toot as I pass. Welcome to the great hall of nutters that is the NBN.

Perhaps a little harsh Kadensa, but I agree with your sentiments. Richard III was a king of England and should have a grave fit for one. No, I cannot liken his actions to that of any criminal let alone one of such notoriety. It is always a mistake to apply the moral and social values of today to any other period of history.

Jason, I can only echo that which has already been said. Firstly thank you for services in the past, and the very best of luck to you both in the future.

Then they'd start singing.... Awning has broken. Even I can't believe I just said that!

Oh yes he is!

Notice it? Oh yes I noticed it! The dead fish were evident in the dyke where Nyx is moored, but the subject has been covered on another thread and I had nothing constructive I could add. Nor can I reasonably comment on the BA's plans until I have some idea as to what they are. Just what will they be restoring to what?

Oh! I wasn't expecting that!

If the seals are grey, have a look at Horsey beach, maybe they're going there.

Ahh, well there I've got both of you. Nobody knows when I'm going to be predictable.

Of my entire family, my mother was the best boat handler, even receiving praise from both Alan and Janet Royall when watching her bring Royal Ambassador in to moor at their yard. It is my opinion that for some unaccountable reason some men feel unable to recognize that handling a boat does not require testosterone. the skill favours neither gender. It may even be argued that it's better for the male on board to do the rope work rather than the helm when mooring as some extra strength might be required in strong tides or windy conditions. I take my hat off to your hubby for encouraging you. Now all he needs to do is build on your confidence so you instinctively think "This is going to be fun" when approaching any potential hazard. Sailies are like mice, They're more afraid of you than you are of them. (and they can easily be squashed if necessary )

Peter, If the BA didn't use the lie, then the telling of that lie would have been a complete waste of money. That waste would have been the subject of another albeit slightly different complaint. The "record" as captmat calls it needs to be carefully watched, and played but it really only needs reporting when there's something to report. Your choice of thread title rather suggests you already knew that. Don't give up, but to keep optimum impact and support perhaps only give us the highlights and when there's something new to tell.

Should somebody tweet him?